March 2017

This week, the ATS joined other public health organizations in a sign on letter to the Senate opposing two "regulatory reform" bills that would reduce the ability of the EPA and other federal agencies to issue federal rules to improve public health by reducing exposures to air pollution and other environmental exposures. 

The first bill, known as the Midnight Rule Relief Act, would allow Congress to strike all federal regulations issued in the last 60 days of a President's term.  While Congress already has the legislative authority to rescind any individual federal regulation with 60 legislative days of its promulgation, the Midnight Rules Relief act would allow Congress to vote once to strike all regulations issued in the final days of a President's term.

The second bill, known as the REINS Act, would require Congress to affirm any federal regulation that had more than $100 million impact on the U.S. economy.  If enacted, the REINS Act would require Congressional approval of a broad range of federal rules, including, the EPA clean air standards, FDA tobacco rules, CMS payment rules, and OSHA work place safety rules just to name a few.

The House of Representatives has already passed its version of both bills.  It is less likely these bills will move forward in the Senate.